Cover crops

Warranty Pilot Program Limits Regenerative Agriculture Risks

Concerns about a potential economic hit have slowed adoption rates of regenerative ag practices like cover crops and rotational grazing among farmers and ranchers. But an innovative warranty pilot project in Iowa and the Chesapeake Bay area designed to limit risks could pave the way for a paradigm shift.

Farm that uses 4R Plus Practices

Poll Shows Majority of Iowa Farmers Influenced by 4R Plus Practices

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life poll shows a majority of farmers are being influenced by the 4R Plus program to adopt nutrient stewardship and conservation practices to help Iowa reach its nutrient reduction goals.

Michael Castellano, Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University

Fertilizer Management in a Drought: Experts Sound the Alarm

The soil retains more nitrogen during a drought, leading to several management challenges. Learn why farmers are being encouraged to test soil before making fall fertilizer application decisions.

Iowa farmer Jason Russell

Eagerness to Learn Led to Changes in Nutrient Management

Linn County farmer Jason Russell’s eagerness to learn led to improvements in how he manages manure from his hog operation as a crop input.

On the Plus Side

Farmers See the Plus Side of Adding 4R Plus Practices

Farmers across Iowa see the Plus Side of weatherproofing farms, protecting their valuable soil, improving water quality and preserving productivity for future generations.

Asmus Featured Farmer

Ag Retail Key to Seeding 4R Plus Practices

Asmus Farm Supply encourages customers to adopt 4R Plus practices like zone fertility management, strip-till and cover crops, knowing soil health is key long term for farmers and farm suppliers.

Iowa Farmer Kellie Blair

Continual Improvement Leads Farm’s Stewardship Efforts

On the flat, tile-drained landscape, Webster County farmer Kellie Blair incorporates cover crops, no-till, strip-till and data-driven nutrient management to minimize nutrient losses from subsurface drainage.

Iowa Farmer Swanson

Fine-Tuning Nutrient Management Improves Efficiencies

Fine-tuning his nutrient management protocol helped Stu Swanson, a Wright County corn, soybean and hog farmer, maximize the return on his input investment and maintain a high level of productivity.